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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Effect of curses given by saintly men

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 8. An analytical assessment of the situations

wherein one comes across feuds in several families and consequent

ruin, will reveal that anger displayed by some and consequent use

of harsh words is the chief cause. In some cases, some of the

members of a family, in their agitated mood, may condemn those

whom or whose ways they dislike and din into their ears that they

will never succeed in their endeavours and come up in life. One

of the lessons to be learnt from study and experience is that

such curses invariably affect those who were put down. Parents,

in their anger, may criticise their children and this may rebound

or may result in turbulent acts or may cause failure in their

future attempts.

 

In the Kamba Ramayana, the arrow that was released by Rama to

destroy the demoness at the command of Sage Viswamitra, has been

compared to the curse at times inflicted by saintly men in their

anguish. It pierced the body of the evil woman. Again, the poet

refers to the same advice tendered to illiterate, unscrupulous

men, which will become waste as it will be ignored by them. The

missile aimed by Rama came out of her body as quickly as it was

sent. Witnessing this scene, celestials showered their praise on

God-incarnate. Leading Rama and Lakshmana to other areas in the

forest, Sage Viswamitra showed them the place where God had

incarnated as Vamana and later assumed the cosmic form of

Trivikrama. Taking a diminutive figure, Vamana wanted from King

Bali three square feet of land to be measured by Him. The king

was ready but he was prevented by his preceptor warning him of

the consequences as it was the Lord who was playing this ploy.

But the former disagreed and went ahead to keep his promise.

Referring to one of the couplets of Thirukkural in this

connection, Sri Sukhi Sivam, in a lecture mentioned how sinful it

is to prevent a donor from his charitable act. One who commits

such a mistake will go without having a dress and food. Also

Thirukkural points out how a philanthropic gesture should benefit

the recipient. There can be no greater reward than to extend

charity to a deserving person, particularly with a stature. The

latter will be grateful for the help received unlike some, who,

even after obtaining what they needed, will make flippant remarks

about the man's charitable disposition.

 

Rama was stunned when on His further journey, He saw a woman

coming back to life, who was under a curse, when just the dust

from His feet fell on her. Ahalya regained her original form

after her sin was removed and she was purified.

 

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